Safety locking block device for wheeled vehicles

ABSTRACT

A pair of blocks shaped as chocks to fit under the forward and rearward portions of a vehicle wheel are joined together by a tie bar having one end secured to one block and having its other end slidingly received in ears projecting from a locking plate secured to the other block. A locking pin bearing a cam can be turned to force the cam against the bar. The pin handle is in the form of a loop and an eye is secured in the block adjacent the handle so that the pin may be secured in locked position by a padlock through handle and eye. Each block also has another projecting eye and a chain passed through the latter eyes and around the wheel can be locked by the padlock to prevent theft of the vehicle.

United States Patent Julian A. Janus 926 Brooklyn Ave., Brooklyn, N.Y.11203 851,533

Aug. 20, 1969 June 1, 1971 lnventor Appl. No. Filed Patented SAFETYLOCKING BLOCK DEVICE FOR 2,773,564 12/1956 Garard; Sr.

Primary Examiner-George E. A. Halvosa Attorney-Bruns & Jenney ABSTRACT:A pair of blocks shaped as chocks to fit under the forward" and rearwardportions of a vehicle wheel are joined together by a tie bar having oneend secured to one block and having its other end slidingly received inears projecting from a locking plate secured to the other block. Alocking pin bearing a cam can be turned to force the cam against thebar. The pin handle is in the form of a loop and an eye is secured inthe block adjacent the handle so that the pin may be secured in lockedposition by a padlock through handle and eye. Each block also hasanother projecting eye and a chain passed through the latter eyes andaround the wheel can be locked by the padlock to prevent theft of thevehicle.

PATENIED JUN H971 35 L 45 sum 1 OF 2 INVENTOR.

JULIAN A. JANUS ATE N T En .1118 1197:

SHEET 2 BF 2 IN VEN TOR.

JULIAN A. JANUS BHLMA x SAFETY LOCKING BLOCK DEVICE FOR WHEELED VEHICLESBACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to locking blocks forwheeled vehicles and more particularly to a pair of blocks for front andback of a wheel, the blocks being secured together by means which can belocked to prevent accidental removal or to prevent theft.

Prior art devices include simple chocks which may be accidentallyremoved or dislodged. Such devices which are adapted to be locked inplace, include a member or members which pass between the spokes of awheel in order to lock the device to a wheel. Modern automobile andairplane wheels do not have spokes and the wheels are either solid discsor have passages therethrough too small for the passage therethrough oflocking members.

I SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In so simple an operation as changing a tire,it is necessary to jack the wheel off the ground and when the back wheelis removed, even when the car is in gear, the car may roll down hillupsetting the jack. Setting the emergency brake makes the wheel changedifficult. As a safety measure, therefore, a wheel on the opposite sideshould be chocked and, to prevent careless or accidental dislodgment ofthe chock, it should be secured to the wheel.

Airplanes, when parked in windy weather, require chocks or blocks to;prevent them from being blown away and damaged. When left untended theblocks should be locked to the wheels to prevent theft or unauthorizeduse.

The present invention contemplates a pair of blocks, adjustably securedtogether so that they can be stored and transported together and yetwill fit wheels of different sizes. Provision is made forlocking theblocks in position in front of and in back of a wheel so that the blockscannot be carelessly or accidentally dislodged. Further provision ismade for locking the blocks to the vehicle to prevent theft thereof.

A tie bar is provided with one end secured to one block, the tie barbeing slidingly secured to the other block so that it can be adjustedagainst the wheel and means for locking the latter block to the tie baris equipped with a padlock to prevent thoughtless or" accidentalremoval. Furthermore, a chain is provided which can be engaged with eachblock, passed completely around the wheel and secured with a padlock toprevent theft.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a plan view of a deviceembodying the invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view thereof locked in position against awheel indicated in broken lines;

FIG. 3 is a view, similar to FIG. 2, with the device positioned against,and adjusted for, a smaller wheel and further provided with a lockingchain to prevent theft;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary perspective view of the locking means shown inFIGS. 1, 2 and 3;

FIGS. 5 and 6 are side elevational views of the locking pin shown inFIG. 4 in locked and unlocked positions, respectively; and

FIG. 7 is an enlarged top plan view of a modified form of locking pin.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to FIGS. land 2, thelocking block device 10 comprises a block or chock l1 and a block 12,secured together by a tie bar or locking bar 13.

Each block has a flat bottom surface 14 provided with studs orprojecting screw heads 15, to prevent slipping on snowy or icy surfaces,and a curved surface 16 conforming approximately to the curved treadsurface of the largest wheel for which the blocks are intended for use.

Blocks 11 and 12 have a width of approximately the tread width of thewheel and may be of wood, as shown, or of plastic or may be hollow andof metal. Bottom surface 14 and curved surface 16 intersect at a smallacute angle at 17 so that the blocks may be wedged or driven firmlyunder the wheel indicated at 18.

The tie bar or locking bar 13 is preferably of a square crosssectionalconfiguration and has one end bent at 90 degrees and passing through ahole 18 of like cross-sectional configuration through block 11. Bar 13and hole 18, of course, may be of any other like irregularcross-sectional configuration to prevent rotation of the bar in the holeor both hole and bar may be round. The bar is headed at 19 so that thebar is firmly secured to block 11. The other end 20 passes through holesof the same cross-sectional configuration as the bar in verticallyextending ears 21 projecting from a locking plate 22 which is secured byscrews 23, or otherwise, to the outer surface of block 12. The end 20 oflocking bar 13 has a bolt 24 passing therethrough so that the bar cannotbe withdrawn from the ears 21 without removing the bolt.

Plate 22 also has a pair .of horizontally extending shorter ears 25projecting therefrom and a locking pin 26 is rotatably secured in holesor journals in the ears 25. Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6 the locking pin26 has aligned portions 27 passing through the journals of ears 25, ahandle portion 28 at its upper end, and a flattened portion 29 at itslower end below the lower ear 25 to prevent its withdrawal from theears.

Intermediate the aligned portions 27, the pin 26 has a cam or offsetportion 30 adapted to jam against the bar 13 when the pin is turnedcounterclockwise as shown in FIG. 5. The handle portion 28 is bentsharply out of alignment with the aligned portions 27 and terminates ina loop or eye 31, as best seen in FIG. 1, the handle portion 28 and thecam portion 30 being angularly offset, as shown.

A screw eye or eyebolt 32 is secured to the block 12, projectingtherefrom adjacent the handle loop 31 when pin 26 is turnedcounterclockwise with the cam 30 jammed against the bar 13 so that apadlock 33 may have its shackle 34 engaged in the loop 31 and eye 32 tosecure pin 26 in locked position. The blocks 11 and 12, being jammedagainst the tread of the wheel 18, are locked together by the bar 13 toprevent accidental dislodgment. When lock 33 is locked the blocks cannotbe carelessly or inadvertently removed.

A modified form of pin 26' is shown in FIG. 7 which may be used when itis not desired to provide the padlock 33. Pin 26 is like pin 26 exceptthat the cam portion 30' is flatted at 35 so that when the pin 26 isturned to locked position it will remain in locked position withoutconnecting loop 31' with the eye 32, until pin 26' is again turnedclockwise.

Blocks 11 and 12 each are provided with another eye 37 projecting fromthe outer end thereof, as shown.

The top surface of each block is also provided with a sliding plate 38which has a turned down end 39 adapted to be engaged against the treadof the tire of wheel 18. Each plate 38 has turned down sideflanges 38ato align the plate for longitudinal movement on the block and isadjustably secured to the block by a wing bolt 40 threaded into theblock and projecting through a slot 41 in the plate so that the platemay slide toward the wheel when the bolt is loosened and be secured inadjusted position when the bolt is tightened.

In operation, the blocks are always available as a pair since the bar 13is firmly secured to block 1 I and slidably secured to block 12. Theblocks are first wedged securely under the front and rear portions ofthe wheel 18 and then pin 26 is turned, as

' described above and locked to the eye 32 by padlock 33. This chainbeing secured together by a padlock 46, which may be the same as padlock33. The run of the chain which is along the inner side of wheel 18 ispreferably passed over the axle on which the wheel is supported and across chain 47 is provided to hold chain 45 taut.

The inner end of cross chain 47 is secured to the inner run of chain 45at its center, the other end of cross chain 47 has a link through whichthe shackle of lock 46 passes to lock chain 47 to the ends of chain 45where they are locked together near the hub of wheel 18'. Cross chain 47passes over the top of wheel 18' to support chain 45 to hold it tautand, of course, is useful in passing chain 45 around the wheel.

It will be understood that usually both wheels of light planes should beblocked. For this reason another pair of blocks or a device 10 is alsoprovided for the left side of the plane with the bar 13 on the oppositeside from that shown in FIG. 3, the device shown in that FIG. having theblock 12 under the forward side of the wheel and having its lockingmeans provided with the modified pin 26'.

When chain 45 has been removed the pin 26 may be turned clockwiseto'unlock the bar without going under the wing and near the propeller. Along line, indicated at 49, is tied to the loop 31 of pin 26' before themotor is started and the line may be pulled from rearward of the planeto unlock pin 26 and to remove blocks 11 and 12 from under the wheel.

As will be apparent to those familiar with the art, the invention may beembodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit oressential characteristics thereof.

I claim:

1. A locking block device for wheeled vehicles comprising a pair ofblocks, each having a fiat ground contacting surface, inner and outerside surfaces and a curved surface adapted to contact the perimeter of awheel, the ground surface and the curved surface intersecting at a smallangle so that the blocks can be driven partially under the front andback lower portions of the wheel tread; an elongated locking barconnecting the blocks and having one end inturned and secured at theouter side surface of one block; a locking plate secured to the outersurface of the other block, the locking plate having verticallyextending ears projecting therefrom at either end, the

vertical ears having holes therein through which the bar extends, thelocking plate also having horizontally extending ears projectingtherefrom at its top and bottom, the horizontal ears having verticallyaligned holes therethrough; and a locking pin having aligned portionsextending through the horizontal ears, a handle portion at its upper endadapted to be manually grasped for turning the pin, and an offset camportion adapted to contact the locking bar and to become jammed againstthe bar to lock the bar in the vertical ears when the pin is turned forlocking the blocks in position against the wheel.

2. The locking block device defined in claim 1 wherein the locking pinhandle portion comprises an eye offset from the aligned pin portions andangularly offset from the cam portion, the locking plate and pin beingso arranged that, when the blocks are in place against a plane wheel, aline may be attached to the handle portion and pulled from the rear ofthe plane to unlock the bar.

3. The locking block device defined in claim 1 wherein the locking pinhandle portion comprises an eye offset from the aligned pin portions andsaid other block having a fixed eye projecting from its outer surfacespaced a predetennined distance from the pin handle eye when the pin isin locked position, and including a padlock having a shackle portionadapted to be passed through the adjacent eyes for locking the pin inlocked position.

4. The locking block device defined in claim 1 wherein each block has achain-receiving eye projecting therefrom, a padlock, and a locking chainhaving links at either end through which the shackle portion of thepadlock is adapted to pass, the chain being of such length as to bepassed through the eyes and completely around the vehicle above thewheel axle on the inside and having links at its ends ada ted to besecured together by the pad ock for locking the c am about the wheel,the locking chain having a cross chain having one end secured to thelocking chain above the axle and adapted to pass therefrom over the topof the wheel to the locking chain on the outside of the wheel, the otherend of the cross chain having a link through which the shackle of thepadlock is also adapted to pass, whereby the device is theftproof.

gggg UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent 3 581846 Dated June 1. 1971 Inventor(s) Julian A. Janus It is certified thaterror appears in the above-identified patent and that said LettersPatent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Page 1, in the heading, for "Appl. No. 851,533"

read Appl No. 851,553 Column 3, line 6, for

"secured" read permanently secured Signed and sealed this 5th day ofOctober 1971 (SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD M.FLETCHER,JR. ROBERT GOTTSCHALK Attesting Officer ActingCommissioner of Patents

1. A locking block device for wheeled vehicles comprising a pair ofblocks, each having a flat ground contacting surface, inner and outerside surfaces and a curved surface adapted to contact the perimeter of awheel, the ground surface and the curved surface intersecting at a smallangle so that the blocks can be driven partially under the front andback lower portions of the wheel tread; an elongated locking barconnecting the blocks and having one end inturned and secured at theouter side surface of one block; a locking plate secured to the outersurface of the other block, the locking plate having verticallyextending ears projecting therefrom at either end, the vertical earshaving holes therein through which the bar extends, the locking platealso having horizontally extending ears projecting therefrom at its topand bottom, the horizontal ears having vertically aligned holestherethrough; and a locking pin having aligned portions extendingthrough the horizontal ears, a handle portion at its upper end adaptedto be manually grasped for turning the pin, and an offset cam portionadapted to contact the locking bar and to become jammed against the barto lock the bar in the vertical ears when the pin is turned for lockingthe blocks in position against the wheel.
 2. The locking block devicedefined in Claim 1 wherein the locking pin handle portion comprises aneye offset from the aligned pin portions and angularly offset from thecam portion, the locking plate and pin being so arranged that, when theblocks are in place against a plane wheel, a line may be attached to thehandle portion and pulled from the rear of the plane to unlock the bar.3. The locking block device defined in claim 1 wherein the locking pinhandle portion comprises an eye offset from the aligned pin portions andsaid other block having a fixed eye projecting from its outer surfacespaced a predetermined distance from the pin handle eye when the pin isin locked position, and including a padlock having a shackle portionadapted to be passed through the adjacent eyes for locking the pin inlocked position.
 4. The locking block device defined in claim 1 whereineach block has a chain-receiving eye projecting therefrom, a padlock,and a locking chain having links at either end through which the shackleportion of the padlock is adapted to pass, the chain being of suchlength as to be passed through the eyes and completely around thevehicle above the wheel axle on the inside and having links at its endsadapted to be secured together by the padlock for locking the chainabout the wheel, the locking chain having a cross chain having one endsecured to the locking chain above the axle and adapted to passtherefrom over the top of the wheel to the locking chain on the outsideof the wheel, the other end of the cross chain having a link throughwhich the shackle of the padlock is also adapted to pass, whereby thedevice is theftproof.